First Grade

Welcome to 1st Grade

Our Teachers

Mrs. Andrew

Mrs Byrd

Ms. Corbetta

We enjoy first grade because the children strive to become independent workers and the doors open up to a world in which they can read, compute math problems and exercise problem solving skills. We would like your child to feel they are in a classroom environment that is positive and relaxed. Children need to know they are important and that we are there to help them in every way we can.

Communication
Communication is one of the key factors to a successful year. Please feel free to contact us at any time you have any questions or concerns. There are many ways to reach us... but the best way is through e-mail or text.

If it is an urgent message (your child is to go on the bus instead of ride in the carpool), be sure to let the office know. They need to send a message directly to the classroom. We will send important information home in your child's Thursday Folder and Monday in Homework Binders (folders). These folders/binders are meant to be a reliable means for sending information back and forth between home and school. Students need to be responsible for returning them to school on the next day. Help your child set up a routine for this. Please send all forms back in their Homework Binder (folder). When sending money, please place it in an envelope/baggie with the child's name and clearly label what it is for on the outside.

Backpacks
Please send your child with their backpack daily

Homework
The first graders will have homework Monday - Thursday. Students should turn in their homework on Friday so we can look it over, see that they have completed it and that a parent has initialed/reviewed it with them. Help your child develop the responsibility of competing their homework each night and placing it in their binder inside their backpack before they go to bed. If at any time homework becomes a struggle for your child, please let us know ASAP so we can make appropriate changes.

Learning Commons
Students will be able to visit the learning commons on a regular basis and will be allowed to check out books to read at home for pleasure. Your child's library books need to be returned each week. Students will be able to check out two books at a time. Help students learn the responsibility of taking care of borrowed books. Books students are returning should be put into the library crate in the classroom. Mrs. Robinson handles the book checkout, overdue books, and any charges for lost books.

Snack
Students may bring two health snacks to school each day. This is a great way to help them stay energized through a long school day. Please place your child's snacks in their backpack, not their lunchbox. This makes for an easier and smoother transition to snack time. Please make good choices about what is brought to school for snack. Water bottles should also be brought to school every day. Make sure your child's water bottle is labeled with their name and is spill-proof.

Parent VolunteersVolunteers are welcomed and greatly appreciated. Volunteers will be used for math groups, reading time, field trips, classroom parties, and celebrations. Volunteers will not start during at least the first four weeks to allow us time to concentrate on rules and routines for the kids and allow us to get to know your children academically.

Birthdays
Please see the BRE Handbook for policies regarding birthdays within the classroom. We want to celebrate each child's special day while adhering to our school policy.

Book OrdersYour child will be bringing home a form to order books about once a month. If you wish to order, simply go to scholastic.com and enter the teacher code listed below. These orders are provided as a convenient way for you to buy quality books for your children at a low price. As an added bonus, for every dollar spent on books, your child's teacher earns bonus points which are used to purchase books fro the classroom library. Of course, you are never under any obligation to order. If you choose to order, your class codes are: Byrd: GYBBN

How To Help At HomeParents often ask how they can help their child at home. This is a great place to start:
--Set up routines
--Give your child responsibilities at home
--Ask a specific question about their day
--Ask them to share and explain the things they bring home
--Be actively involved in what your child is doing at home and at school
--Take time to play
--Let them know you really care and are proud of their accomplishments
--Focus on their success
--Most importantly....READ, READ, READ, READ, and READ some more with your child.

Douglas County School District Nondiscrimination Notice: The Douglas County School District does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity/expression, religion, national origin, ancestry, creed, age, marital status, genetic information, or physical characteristics, disability or need for special education services in admissions, access to, treatment of, or employment in educational programs or activities. The School District’s Compliance Officer is Ted Knight, Assistant Superintendent, 620 Wilcox Street, Castle Rock, Colorado, complianceofficer@dcsdk12.org, 303-387-0067. Complaint procedures have been established for students, parents, employees and members of the public.